Four advanced manufacturing companies have committed to establishing their presence at the redeveloped Mitsubishi site in Tonsley, joining other companies and organisations which have made a commitment to invest in the project.

Screenshot from Tonsley Fly-through video

Basetec Services, Signostics Limited, ZEN Energy Systems and MAN Diesel and Turbo Australia have signed up to join the $253 million advanced manufacturing hub, joining Siemens, TAFE SA, Flinders University and ICT company, Tier 5 at the site.

“This is what the future of manufacturing in South Australia will look like – high tech companies that are globally competitive and working closely with researchers and training organisations,” said South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill in a media release.

“As part of the State Government’s ‘Our Jobs Plan’, Tonsley will support new smart specialisation clusters and precincts where future industries can work together to innovate, create new jobs and grow.”

Basetec Services, which manufactures and installs innovative pipe products will invest $9 million, to establish facilities at Tonsley, including a Centre of Excellence in Composites Research and Development, with the help of $1.5 million in funding from the State Government.

Signostics Limited, an international medical device company which designs and manufactures portable, lightweight handheld ultrasound devices, will be relocating to Tonsley.

The same goes for ZEN Energy Systems, the largest solar provider in South Australia across residential, commercial and utility markets, which will be relocating its head office, research and development, manufacturing, warehouse and distribution operations from Norwood and Woodville.

MAN Diesel and Turbo Australia/Remotenergy will be signing an MoU with the State Government, which envisions the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at Tonsley to promote clusters around hybrid power development.

Basetec Managing Director Charles Figallo said they have existing research collaborations with the Ian Wark Research Institute and will extend that to other education and research partners, including Flinders University and TAFE SA.

“Our company is looking to collaborate and innovate to grow and prosper and we see Tonsley as the ideal place to do this,” Mr Figallo said.

Meanwhile Signostics CEO, Warren Ortmann said the shortage of space in their old location provided an opportunity to be part of South Australia’s advanced manufacturing future.

“We are committed to helping make Tonsley a national centre for the development of medical device technologies and look forward to working closely with the research providers on site to grow the industry in South Australia” Mr Ortmann said.